Romelu Lukaku will start for Inter as normal on Saturday when the Nerazzurri resume their Serie A title charge at Bologna, according to a report in the Italian media today.
Tuttosport’s print edition said Antonio Conte had no intention of resting the Belgian after his international duties, despite having had a week to coach Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Sanchez at Appiano Gentile.
Lukaku scored twice in the reverse fixture against Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side, a 3-1 win back in December, and he will be seeking yet more glory at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
The 27-year-old is one of five Inter players due to return to training today, along with Milan Skriniar, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic and Achraf Hakimi (all of whom completed their international commitments yesterday).
Conte will not be able to settle on a starting XI to play Bologna until tomorrow, when Inter’s three Italians – Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Stefano Sensi – return along with Christian Eriksen and Andrei Radu.
Andrea Ranocchia is expected to replace Stefan de Vrij in defence though, with the Dutch centre-back still positive for COVID-19 after his most recent test (along with Danilo D’Ambrosio).
Ranocchia has not featured for Inter since the 4-0 win over Benevento on January 30 but could get his sixth league appearance this weekend against the Rossoblu.
Arturo Vidal is also on the road to recovery after undergoing knee surgery on March 12, although he won’t be back in training for the time being.